San Francisco's reputation as a bastion of free-spiritedness has suffered a blow after the city voted to ban public nudity.

The city's board of supervisors made the decision on Tuesday after a series of complaints by residents and businesses over the increase in nudists.

Public nudity was deemed to be particularly prevalent in the Castro area of the city where many nudists gather daily at the Jane Warner Plaza.

Scott Wiener, a city supervisor who represents the district, supported the ban.

At a meeting on Tuesday he said: "The nudity situation in the Castro has become extreme "It's no longer an occasionally and quirky part of San Francisco. Rather, in the Castro, it's pretty much seven days a week.

"It's very much a, 'Hey, look what I have' mentality."

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A narrow vote of 6-5 saw the ban introduced. Punishment for violating the new rules, which go into effect in February, will result in a $100 (£62) fine with repeat offenders facing $500 (£315) fines and up to one year in jail.

After the council's decision nudists protested inside and outside City Hall, stripping naked and holding placards.

Public nudity is legal under state law as long as there is no "lewd intent". But many cities in California have banned it.

Under San Francisco's new rules some nudity will still be allowed. Babies can go naked and women can still go topless while public nudity will still be allowed at some events allowed by the city, including the annual gay pride festival.